POTOMAC, June 28: Australia's Adam Scott held off a late charge from Charles Howell III to win the Booz Allen Classic by a comfortable four strokes on Sunday. Scott, with two wins this season on the PGA Tour, finished on 21-under-par 263 after carding a 68 in the final round.

Howell, who shot a 65, took second place on 267, while South Africa's Rory Sabbatini, the defending champion, was third another two shots back with a 66. Germany's Alex Cejka and Olin Browne were joint seventh on 273, while Frank Lickliter II and Aaron Barber tied for ninth another stroke back.

Scott had begun the final round with a six-stroke lead over Browne, while Oberholser and Howell were seven back. The 23-year-old stretched the lead to seven on the front nine, but then on the 11th hole Howell began a string of five straight birdies that would pull him within two shots.

After making a three-putt par on the par-five 13th, Scott answered with consecutive birdies on the 14th and 15th holes and added another at the 17th. The 25-year-old Howell, meanwhile, could manage only two pars and a bogey over the final three holes.

Scott's 21-under total tied the tournament record held by Billy Andrade and Jeff Sluman and only a bogey at the 18th prevented Scott from setting a new scoring mark.

Leading final round scores: